Best New Audiophile Accessories from CES: Part 2.

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Customer email newsletter dated: March 10, 2009.

Best New Audiophile Accessories from CES: Part 2

March 9, 2009

In This Issue:

Part 2 of our highlights in the system upgrades category from the 2009 CES show, Part 1 mailed in mid February.

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Running Springs Audio Elite Series

Shown in preview, with shipments beginning this month, the upscale "Elite Series" of line filters from Running Springs Audio should be of special interest. If this brand is not familiar to you, take a look at our Feb. 2007 customer email. In a nutshell, we considered the earlier line to be the most affordable of what was, two years ago, the state-of-the-art in line filtration. Happily nothing stands still in high end audio and companies like Audience with their "T" series filters, Synergistic Research with their Powercell, and the Series II Shunyata Research Hydras have all raised the bar in the meantime.

But keep and eye on the Elite Series from Running Springs as our demonstration units become available this month. We already have the Dmitri: here are some comments from the company on the new products:

"Running Springs Audio introduced a new Platinum foil cap to the RSA line when we released the "Dmitri" in November of 2008. This capacitor has remarkable qualities to quiet things still further and allow even more music to come through. This concept has now also been designed into all our Elite series products that include upgrades to all of our models:
the Haley, the Duke, the Jaco & Danielle.

All Elite series products feature a carbon fiber faceplate that not only looks great but actually filters RF, and also come with our new carbon fiber feet for improved damping and performance.

All products continue to handle "all world" voltages: 100-250V.

The Dmitri is our flagship product where we pull out all of the stops: We have increased the size of the main inductor, added two more platinum caps and fully damped the internal components.

The benefits of the new technology are also readily apparent in the Elite Series Haley, Duke, Danielle and Jaco models. Quieter, still more neutral, offering even more dynamics and even more inner detail are just a few of the comments that we have received from a variety of dealers, consumers and reviewers."

Time to look at an upgrade to your power management? All of the top line filters mentioned here, and many others, are available for in-home audition through The Cable Company's Library service. If you are doing a shoot-out ask us about the FREE Tesla Plex offer from Synergistic Research provided as an incentive to try their Powercell.

Shunyata's new Mini-Dark Field Elevators

In addition to the new series of AC cables (see below), Shunyata Research had a nice new product, actually a mini version of their successful Dark Field Cable Elevators, so let's call them "Mini-DFE's." These are intended for use as isolators anywhere a cable is touching another cable, or the cable is resting on the edge of the shelf, or the speaker cable connections are too close for comfort and it would be nice to have something to wedge between them, etc. Very handy! $95 for 12.

Shunyata's new CX Series AC cables

In addition to showing the newly upgraded versions of the Hydra 8 V II and Hydra V-Ray VII, as well as their new generation of interconnects and speaker cables (we will cover these soon - watch this space!), the biggest NEWS on the cable front was the announcement of the new CX Series power cords from Shunyata Research. Instead of the less complex hand-braided conductors of the prior series, the CX series are made with an intricate machine weave. For example, the previous top-line Anaconda Helix power cord had 17 hand wound conductors. The new Anaconda CX has 480 tightly braided conductors with the same geometry.

As I am writing this we are still burning in the first production cables from the new series prior to loading up the Cable Library, but Shunyata contends that the improvement in performance is dramatic.

As you go up in price, each CX power cord becomes larger and the braid becomes more complex.

Taken from notes provided by the manufacturer, here is a look from bottom to top at their entire 2009 lineup, including the non-CX models: Venom, Diamondback Platinum, and Copperhead, which are not changing:

"Shielded Series"

Venom --12 gauge. $125.
These power cords are intended to convince skeptics and novices that power cables can be a vital part of any home entertainment system.

For systems with stock power cords, replacing those with Venom power cords is a
profound upgrade. Also, replacing any stock power cord on a projector, flat screen or any video display is VERY convincing.
DiamondBack Platinum --12 gauge. $250.
This power cord has the same advantages and applications as the Venom power cord with better performance because of dual shielding. Slightly higher end applications are possible. These are a great compliment for low current components such as preamps, and offer a way to trim costs when powering an entire system with more expensive power cords elsewhere.

Copperhead --10 gauge $350
A heavy gauge, less expensive than CX alternative for amps and line filters. The Copperhead is not necessarily better than the Venom or DiamondBack for video, source or analog components, but it can serve as a great downstream (high-current) power cord in an all Venom or DiamondBack system.

The NEW CX power cord models:

System 1:

SideWinder Helix CX --12 gauge 130 conductors $495
Tremendous performance/value for almost any modest current application. SideWinder is best used with sources, pre-amps, digital, analog etc. The SideWinder is a perfect match in a system with one or two larger gauge Viper power cords for amps or line conditioners.

Viper Helix CX --10 gauge-- 200 conductors $695
Reference caliber performance anywhere in the system. Viper is the perfect amplifier or line filter power cord when applied in a system that has SideWinder power cords on sources, pre-amps etc. However, the Viper can literally be used anywhere, and for entire systems.
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System 2:

Python Helix CX --9 Gauge-- 280 conductors. $1095.
Another big performance step over Viper and SideWinder. This power cord is so advanced and complete in its performance it will set a new standard. The Python can be used on sources, pre- amps, etc. with the Anaconda CX used for
amplifiers and line filters for the ideal reference system.
Anaconda Helix CX --7 gauge-- 480 conductors. $1995.
This power cord is an ultimate reference for any and all components in a state of the art music or sound system. It can be used for all reference components, or as amplifier/ line filter power cord in a system with Pythons on sources and pre-amps. It can also serve as the source and pre-amp power cord in a system that uses the massive King Cobras on amps and line filters.
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The Design Reference:

King Cobra Helix CX --5 gauge--600 conductors. $3495.
This power cord is the largest gauge power cord in existence. It's mass and weight make it ideal for use with amps and from the line filter to the wall in a cost-no-object system--but it is also a reference for CD replay. It can be used anywhere, but because of its weight, there may be some strain relief measures needed when connecting it to components higher up in the rack.

The King Cobra was a design exploration to determine what was possible in performance. Despite its mass and weight, the King Cobra measures with minimal inductance and will never sound, slow or heavy. Because of the intricate braiding, it behaves more like a light ribbon and has tremendous upper octave resolution, speed, timing and clarity. Everybody, whether in the market for a top power cord or not should listen with the King Cobra in any system just to hear what is possible at the extremes of this CX Series design.
We will certainly second this last comment, and we will have the entire new Shunyata lineup available through the Cable Library this month.

Update on Show Samples from Audience, JPS Labs, and Purist Audio Design

One of the best things about the major trade shows is that there are usually good pickin's to be had after the show, especially from the popular cable manufacturers who wire up quite a few systems. This time we have grabbed products from Audience (including some of their Adept Response T version line filters appearing in our Used Components listings), JPS Labs, and Purist Audio Design, and loaded these into the listings in our Used Cable site, UsedCable.com, at used cable pricing.

Here is an update on our previously distributed list, but keep in mind that availability is very limited and these always go fast.

High End audio, Video & speaker cables from The Cable company - Since 1989 the Cable Company has been the world´s leading retailer of specialty audio cables. But more than that our real specialty is providing high level expertise on all aspects of high performance audio. For our US customers we can offer nearly every cable, powerline product, and resonance control product for in-home evaluation through our famous Library service.

The only audiophile lending library of its kind. What is our lending library? We give you direct access to over 60 brands of cables and $2.5 million worth of products in our Lending Library. You can evaluate cables,headphones, line conditioners and more in your home and on your system. It's the best of try before you buy. Connect with our audio experts for a FREE system consult, and enjoy their combined 100+ years of audiophile experience. Click for a FREE consult.